The tree of life is a symbol that has been present in various cultures and mythologies for centuries. It represents the interconnectedness of all living beings and is believed to possess magical qualities. In this note, we will explore the different aspects of the tree of life's magical essence. One of the main magical aspects of the tree of life is its ability to connect different realms or dimensions. In many belief systems, it is seen as a bridge between the physical world and the spiritual realm. It is believed that by meditating or focusing on the tree of life, one can enter altered states of consciousness and connect with higher beings or entities.
October 2023. Frankie and The Witch Fingers. Data Doom
“Data Doom” by Frankie and The Witch Fingers is a compelling addition to the modern psychedelic rock landscape. This album showcases the band’s ability to push boundaries while staying true to their psychedelic roots.
Clocking in at just over 40 minutes, “Data Doom” is a journey through sonic landscapes that are both otherworldly and captivating. The opening track, “Electrified,” sets the tone with its swirling guitars and infectious rhythms. The album maintains a high level of energy throughout, with each song seamlessly flowing into the next.
One of the standout features of this album is its production quality. The sound is crisp and well-balanced, allowing every instrument to shine. The guitar work, in particular, is exceptional, with intricate riffs and solos that demonstrate the band’s technical prowess.
Lyrically, “Data Doom” explores themes of technology, isolation, and the search for meaning in a digital age. The track “Searchin'” delves into the idea of constantly seeking validation online, while “Electric Train” touches on the disconnection that can come from excessive screen time. These themes resonate in today’s world and add depth to the album’s overall narrative.
The album’s pacing is well thought out, with moments of frenetic energy balanced by more introspective tracks like “Static Trip” and “Digital Anarchy.” This variety keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.
Frankie and The Witch Fingers’ vocal performances are noteworthy, with lead singer Dylan Sizemore’s distinctive voice cutting through the mix. His delivery is charismatic and fits the psychedelic atmosphere of the music perfectly.
“Data Doom” is an album that rewards repeated listens. Its layers of sound and intricate arrangements reveal new details with each spin. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the band or new to their music, this album offers something fresh and exciting.
In conclusion, “Data Doom” by Frankie and The Witch Fingers is a stellar addition to the band’s discography and a testament to their growth as musicians. It’s a bold exploration of the intersection of technology and human experience, wrapped in a sonic package that’s both exhilarating and thought-provoking. This album is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the evolution of psychedelic rock in the 21st century.
The Los Angeles based rockers, Frankie and the Witch Fingers, bring an original blend of classic & neo-psychedelia with prog, krautrock, and funk influences.
While their discography can sound rather diverse, there is also a strong continuity and display of growth throughout. Frankie and the Witch Fingers make for a memorable live performance experience that you don’t want to miss. The band recently finished a 5 week stint of touring across the US including two shows in Austin, Texas as part of the Levitation Festival.
Frankie And The Witch Fingers by Justin Jackley
Thanks for meeting up with me! Let’s do some introductions here.
Dylan Sizemore: I’m Dylan and I play guitar and sing.
Nikki Pickle: I’mP ickle and I play bass.
Josh Menashe: I’m Josh and I play guitar.
Jon Modaff: And Jon and I play drums.
When did you all arrive in Austin? Last night?
Dylan Sizemore: Two nights ago – Thursday night.
Nikki Pickle: Pretty late. We didn’t really go and see anything on Thursday night. We just got in and settled and went out and saw stuff yesterday.
Okay, cool. Who did you see last night?
Nikki Pickle: We saw the Black Angels, Kikagaku Moyo, and Black Midi.
Jon Modaff: We saw Levitation Room.
Awesome. Yeah, I was at Stubbs last night for the Black Angels but I missed Black Midi. I had a ticket but didn’t make it over…
Nikki Pickle: It was so cool. They are so good.
I’ve heard they are pretty good live and their recorded stuff is really good. Sorry I missed it. Too many things going on at once. You all are currently on tour with Acid Dad. How has that been going so far?
Dylan Sizemore: It’s been amazing! They are like the sweetest dudes and they’re also really amazing musicians. It’s been really cool to play with a band that you want to see play every night. It’s really exciting.
Frankie And The Witch Fingers by Connor Fields
I’m going to interview them tomorrow, actually. Any interesting or weird shit happen while on tour?
Nikki Pickle: We had a cool vacation with Acid Dad. We got to go play mini-golf, or putt-putt or whatever the proper terminology is.
Dylan Sizemore: I think it was “goofy golf”?
Nikki Pickle: “Goofy Golf” in Panama City, Florida. Oh, and the weird thing there was that there was a red tide, which is like an overgrowth of algae in the water. So, the water becomes kind of toxic so all these fish were dying and there’s dead fish all along the shore. I think it was pretty crazy. Like not a normal thing to happen.
That is strange. Was it pretty stinky?
Nikki Pickle: It was a little stinky. Just when you got close to the water though, not everywhere. But when we walked on the beach, the algae puts out like a toxic gas and it makes you cough a bunch.
Josh Manashe: I got this coughing attack just staring at this dead eel on the beach. It was strange.
It’s almost like the Earth is trying to kill us or something! It does not like us…
Josh Menashe: I know!
Nikki Pickle: But we did get to go in the ocean on the Atlantic side of Florida. We were over in Orlando and that was awesome. That was my first time in the Atlantic and we got to spend the whole day just swimming and hanging out.
This is near the end of your tour, isn’t it? You guys have a few more dates ahead of you?
Dylan Sizemore: Yeah, these two shows and then two more so like four shows left. It’s been going on like five weeks now so it’s been a pretty long run.
So, ready for a break after this one?
Dylan Sizemore: Only because it’s happening. I feel like if we had more shows I’d be really stoked and wouldn’t be tired but like your brain gets ready for the end of it.
Nikki Pickle: It’s the come down. The whole tour come down.
Dylan Sizemore: Then we’ll get home and just be itching to play more shows.
Any future tour plans yet or is it just too soon to even think about?
Dylan Sizemore: Yeah, always. I mean, that’s kind of how it works. We have shows for next year. I don’t know how many we can mention because some of them are festivals and they’re working on stuff but we’re playing shows next year. I think we’re gonna go to Europe in like May, but again, everything’s tentative. But, definitely playing some shows. Can’t stop, won’t stop.
Frankie And The Witch Fingers by Justin Jackley
What do you guys do to keep yourself occupied while you’re on the road for those hours and hours?
Josh Menashe: Rubik’s Cube.
Nikki Pickle: Josh, over the pandemic, taught himself to beat the Rubik’s Cube and now he’s teaching everyone else how to solve a Rubik’s Cube. Now there’s little formulas written down and placed around the van of how to do it.
Josh Menashe: It’s a useful skill. Like survival guide.
Nikki Pickle: He’s like a coach. He’s constantly coaching everyone about like, “you’re gonna want to put blue on the top right and you turn it up right and left, right, left, right, up, down.
Josh Menashe: L-U-R-U-L-U-R-U. We should make a song called “Luru-Luru”.
I could never do those.
Josh Menashe: Not yet. I got you.
Dylan Sizemore: It’s addicting too. It seems really mentally taxing but once you unlock each step, you’re hooked.
You guys have any “go to tunes” you listen to in the van?
Josh Menashe: We listen to ‘You’re Still the One’ by Shania Twain every morning as part of our routine.
Of course.
Dylan Sizemore: Yeah, it perfectly encapsulates tour. Like, “looks like we made it. Look how far we’ve come.” We’re doing it. Thanks Shania. Honestly, we like to listen to music that people think we sound like.
Nikki Pickle: We listen to generally just fun nostalgic stuff.
Dylan Sizemore: Maybe listen to Alanis Morissette. We love her. Kind of.
Can’t tell if serious or not…
Dylan Sizemore: No, no, we are!
Josh Menashe: We listen to other shit too.
Dylan Sizemore: But not in the van. It’s just not – I don’t know. For me, it’s just more fun to listen to shit you know or that you used to listen to as a kid or whatever. Fun shit rather than serious.
Nikki Pickle: When you’re DJing the van, you’re putting on group favorites that everyone’s gonna want to listen to. So, it’s like 90s nostalgia. Let’s do this. And everyone’s like, “Oh, yeah, that’s my song, that’s my jam.” But you’re not like seriously sampling tunes. You know?
Dylan Sizemore: Although, what’s that band? Horse Lords. They’re pretty dope.
I’m not familiar with them.
Dylan Sizemore: It’s crazy. It’s like polyrhythms and it’s mathy but it’s not, but it still grooves. I don’t know. It’s rad.
Frankie And The Witch Fingers by Roger Ho
Your latest release was a single called “Cookin'”. What label was that released on?
Dylan Sizemore: Yeah, ‘Cookin” and ‘Tracksuit’ on the B side. Through Greenway Records and the Reverberation Appreciation Society. They are kind of partners, which is really rad because we get to do shit like this.
Several albums, including ‘Brain Telephone’, credit Dylan and Pickle with the artwork design. Are you all generally pretty heavily involved in the aesthetics as well as the music?
Dylan Sizemore: Yeah, the visual aesthetic of the band is definitely a group decision, but Nikki and I usually team up on creating or art directing whatever project we’re working on. It’s something we’re both passionate about. Nikki went to college for Art and Design and so she’s always putting finishing touches on any of the stuff we put out.
What’s next for you guys? Do you have any new music on the horizon?
Josh Menashe: We are still kind of in the writing process. We spent a lot of last year building a studio and we can record every jam we do now which is really fun. So, we have a lot of stuff to sift through and try to turn into real songs and write another record.
Dylan Sizemore: The single was kind of like a test run to see how well we do with the homemade studio. It turned out pretty good.
Any last words for readers of It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine?
Dylan Sizemore: Call your loved ones and tell them you miss ’em.
Thank you much!
Frankie And The Witch Fingers by Justin Jackley
Written and Illustrated by
Justin Jackley
December 2021
www.justinjackley.com
Headline photo: Roger Ho
Premiere: Frankie & the Witch Fingers
From out of the hazy distance, a weird beast approaches summoned by beating drums and the snarl of guitars. Frankie and the Witch Fingers’ new album, Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters—out October 4th on RAS/Greenway records—is the soundtrack to this approach: conjuring a landscape of red rock wild creatures draped in furs, riding on motorcycles and dune buggies, and improbably large, incredibly weird monsters— relics of a forgotten time.
The project marks the band’s sixth album since their formation in 2013 and serves largely as a continuation of the sound they’ve developed over that 7 year span: a collection of multiple tours, several personnel changes, culminating in a guitar-forward wash of psych-rock energy punctuated by the rhythmic vocals of songwriter and vocalist Dylan Sizemore.
Frankie & The Witch Fingers are a band born for the stage, having spent most of last year on tour opening for Osees, Cheap Trick, and ZZ Top—then home to record Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters in just five days. This concise process is reflected in the sonic continuity of the project, each song blending into the last through lines of feedback that run throughout. On the flipside, this means that no song particularly stands out as a clear single, and the album doesn’t represent a huge sonic departure from the group’s previous discography. Still, the album plays smoothly from start to finish, maintaining its energy as tempos and rhythms come and go.
Photo: David Fearn
The most notable difference between Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters and the band’s last effort, ZAM, is largely on the engineering side of the spectrum. MEPEM sounds cleaner, with the various parts occupying their own space in a way that lets each instrument breathe a bit more, all done without sacrificing the general size of the mix. It’s a little more focused, and the vocals in particular benefit from a bit more clarity than some of the band’s earlier more garage-y recordings.
In terms of the vocals, singer Dylan Sizemore provides the same largely percussive energy he has on past projects, but Sizemore seems to use the space provided by the cleaner mix for a slightly more melodic approach than on past projects. Still, it’s often hard to tell exactly what he’s saying, and frankly it doesn’t matter that much. Snippets come in and out, but the vocals here are largely working towards the same energetic goal rather than across or against it.
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All things considered, Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters is a solid psych shred-fest falling well within Frankie & The Witch Finger’s wheelhouse and delivered with a confidence and drive that helps it maintain its frantic energy as it races through the desert, off toward some sun-bleached horizon.
It is believed that by meditating or focusing on the tree of life, one can enter altered states of consciousness and connect with higher beings or entities. The tree of life is also associated with healing and renewal. Its branches and roots symbolize the interconnectedness of the universe and the constant flow of energy.
It is believed that by connecting with the tree of life, one can tap into this energy and restore balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit. Many ancient healing practices involve using the tree of life symbol as a visual aid or as a focal point in meditation. Furthermore, the tree of life is often associated with wisdom and knowledge. Its branches and leaves symbolize the vast amount of information that can be accessed and understood by those who are able to connect with it. In mythology, it is often depicted as the tree of knowledge, granting those who partake from its fruit with divine wisdom. This aspect of the tree of life's magic highlights its role as a teacher and guide in one's spiritual journey. Lastly, the tree of life is believed to possess protective qualities. In many cultures, it is seen as a symbol of strength and stability. By wearing or having the tree of life symbol in one's surroundings, it is believed to ward off negative energies and bring about a sense of security and protection. This aspect of its magic highlights its role as a guardian and defender against spiritual and physical harm. In conclusion, the tree of life holds a myriad of magical aspects that have been celebrated and revered by various cultures throughout history. Its ability to connect different realms, its association with healing and renewal, its role as a teacher and guide, and its protective qualities are all reasons why it continues to be a symbol of profound significance and reverence. Whether one believes in its magical powers or not, the tree of life serves as a powerful representation of the interconnectedness and sacredness of all life..
Reviews for "The Tree of Life and Tree Meditation: Communing with Nature's Wisdom"
1. Emily - 2 stars: "I was really disappointed with this book. Despite my initial excitement about exploring the magical aspects of the tree of life, the author failed to deliver an engaging and informative narrative. The book felt dry and full of unnecessary jargon, making it inaccessible to those who aren't already well-versed in mystical concepts. Additionally, the author's writing style was overly academic and lacked any personal connection, leaving me feeling disconnected and uninterested in the subject matter. Overall, I found it to be a tedious and unfulfilling read."
2. Benjamin - 1 star: "I cannot stress enough how much I did not enjoy reading this book. The author's exploration of the magical aspects of the tree of life felt superficial and lacking in substance. Rather than delving into the depths of this intriguing topic, the book merely scratched the surface, leaving me unsatisfied and craving more. The author's writing style was also quite monotonous, failing to captivate my interest or make me excited about the subject matter. I would not recommend this book to those seeking a truly immersive and comprehensive exploration of the tree of life's magical aspects."
3. Samantha - 2 stars: "I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The author's approach to exploring the magical aspects of the tree of life felt disjointed and poorly organized. The lack of a clear structure made it difficult to follow the author's train of thought, and I often found myself confused and frustrated. Additionally, the book seemed to lack a cohesive narrative, jumping from one idea to another without sufficient explanation or connection. Overall, I found it to be a confusing and chaotic read that left me wanting more clarity and depth."